Switch operating mechanism



Aug. 11, 1931. A. ALSAKER ET AL 1,317,904

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 29, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W y 4 a. 7 m.

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Patented 11, R931 tr rs.

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DELTA-STEP ILLZNOIS' 'ornn ion or Application filed This invention relates to swi'ch operating means, and more particularly a handle structure for operating disconnect switches.

This device is intended moreparticularly for outdoor use for operating: disconnect switches remote from the handle structure and connected thereto througha suitable system of links and levers. The structure includes an operating handle and connecting rod connected thereto in such manner that the handle exerts a relatively great leverage ell'ect upon the rod, facilitating operation of the switch. Ali-additional feature or our inventionis simple and efiicient means whereby the'handle may be locked in either of its-operative positions, means eing also provi led for normally locking the handle in switch closing position and for preventing opening of the s :itch the last mentioned locking means being capable of bein controlled from a point remote from the handle. lVe also provide controlor signaling means operated by the handle as it approaches the limit of its movement in either {lli'fit t'ion for signaling the condition of the disconnect switch to parties at a point remote therefrom. Furtherobjects and advantages will appear from the detail description.

In thedra wings Figure 1 is-a side view of a switch-operating handle and associated parts constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a'front view;

Fig. 3 is a. central vertical sectional view through the mechanism taken from-front toback;

Fig. 4- is an upper end view of the media nisin;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 3;

6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the auxiliary switch and its; housing;

'Fig; 7 isa. section taken substantially on line 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig; 8 is ction taken substantially on line'99 of The'handle structure 1s mounted-on astutpril able base or support I, such as achannelbar whichmay-be secured to a support-ingstructure in any preferred manner.

ingztwo parallel levers his mounted upon'the;

standard 3 by means of pivot pins 6 pa ing through eyes land through fingers 7 of iorks- 8 at the lower or inner ends-of the levers. The pins 6 are held againstendwise moverent bycoLterpinsQ passing therethrough, or in any ther suitable or preferred manner. The levers 5 are of stepped formation with their upper por ions disposed more closely adjacent than their lower or inner portions, the upper portions or these levers being connected'by a U-brace 1O riveted thereto. At its upper or free endeach lever is provided with a suitable handle il secured thereto in a known manner This provides a simple and inexpensive handle structure which possesses great strength and is capable of exerting a great leverage effect.

An: operating: rod l2 'is disposed between the two members or levers '5 of the handle structure'and has its lower end secured in a socket l3extendingfrom a hub 14 which is secured between the level-s5 by apivotpin decided leverage ei'lect is exerted upon the rod -12 foropcratingthe disconnect switch which'isconnecte-d to thisrod by asystem of links 'and'levers as previously noted.

Movement oftherod 12 towards support 1 when the'lever structure is swungupwardly into snitch closing position-is limited by an adjustable stop member 18 secure'd to the sup A bracket sec rcdito the support 1 by bolt and nut port and disposed to contact with the rod adjacent the upper end of the handle structure. A linger 19 projects from brace 10 and, when the handle structure is in full switch closing position, is disposed adjacent an angle linger 20 projecting from a plate 21 riveted to the rod 12. These two lingers, when the handle structure is in switch closing position, define an opening for reception of the shackle of a padlock Due to the eccentric relation between the mounting of the handle structure and the operating rod 12, this provides simple and eliicient means for locking the handle in switch closing position. An eye bolt 23 is secured to support 1 below the bracket 2 and is provided with a fiat head 24 forming shoulders 25 adapted for contact with the lingers of a bifurcated lug 26 projecting from hub lei. When the handle structure is in its lowered or switch opening position the lug 26 straddles head 2st of eye bolt 23 and lingers 26a of this lug contact with shoulders 25 limiting movement of the rod 12 towards the support. With the parts in this position, by inserting the shackle of lug 22 through opening 2%(4 of head 2a, the handle and rod assembly is locked in inoperative or switch opening position.

To prevent opening of the disconnect switch when the line switch is closed, we provide means controlled from a. sub-station or other point remote from the handle structure for locking the handle in switch closing position. In the form illustrated this means includes an electromagnet of suitable type indicated generally by 27 mounted in a suitable housing 28 secured to the support 1 adjacent the stop member 18. The coil 29 of this magnet is confined between the lower end wall of housing 28 and an arm 30 extending inwardly from the rear wall of the housing. This arm is recessed from its under face to receive the upper end of a brass tube 31, in the upper end of which is disposed a washer 32 of fiber or other suitable material. A steel plunger 33 is slidably mounted in sleeve 31 which extends through the lower end wall of housing 28, as illustrated. The lower end portion 3st of this plunger is squared and reduced in thickness. A key plate 35 is secured to the lower end of housing 28 by screws 36 and has its forward end closely adjacent the inner flattened face of portion B l of the plunger so as to hold the plunger against turning movement, this face also contacting with the shoulder 37 at the upper end of portion or element ill to limit downward movement of the plunger. When the plunger is in its normal lowered position the element or nose 84 thereof is disposed to engage between projections or lugs 38 and 39 on a hook or latch member 40 integral with socket handle and rod assembl is in Wuen cu J raised or switch closing position. The latch member and the plunger thus provide a lock which prevents opening of the disconnect switch so long as the electromagnet 27 is unenergized, even though the padlock 22 be removed. lVhen the line has been opened by means of the usual oil,switch and conditions are proper for opening of the disconnect switch, the electromagnet is energized so as to raise the plunger 33, permitting opening of the disconnect switch.

\Ve also provide, in conjunction with the electromagnetic inter-lock, an auxiliary signaling circuit control switch which may be used to control one or more inter-locking circuits for indicating the condition of either the disconnect switch, or the line switch, or both, the circuits having associated therewith suitable signaling means which may be situated adjacent the operating handle or at a point a distance therefrom, as desired. An auxiliary switch housing ll is secured to the support 1 below the housing 28 and contains a suitable switch structure for controlling inter-locking or signaling circuits of the character above stated. The detail construction of this switch is illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9. The switch includes a rectangular frame 42 of phosphor-bronze or other suitable material, the opposite sides of this frame being closed by cap or closure plates 13 of any suitable electrical insulating material, such as the synthetic resin commercially known as bakelite. These closure plates are secured by screws 44: which thread into the thickened collar portion of frame d2. An operating rod -15 is slidably mounted through the lower end of housing ll and a block 4:6 of insulating material is threaded onto this rod. The rod is also provided with a reduced upper portion eloa which slides through the upper end of frame e2. This block is provided, adjacent each end thereof, with a bore which extends through the block from one lateral face to the other lateral face thereof. Each of these bores receives a short pin 47 and an expansion spring 48. The outer portions of the spring and the pin seat in grooves in the inner faces of contact strips 49 of copper or other suitable electrical conducting material which, in turn, seat in grooves 50 extending from front to back of the lateral faces of the block. As illustrated in 9, the springs and pins of the two bores in the block are oppositely related so that each strip 49 is held against endwise movement by one pin and one spring. The

pins 47 are of fiber or other suitable electrical l inv theen'd's of wires' or conductors'to the terminal elements. When the block 46' is shifted into either of its operative positions, the pairs of terminal elements are electrically connected in proper relation through the contact strips 49. This provides simple and efhcient means for closing and opening the inter-locking or signaling circuits controlled by the auxiliary switch. h/lovement of the block 46 in either direction beyond full operative position is prevented by stop elements 54 extending inwardly from the ends of the frame 42, and the switch structure, as a whole, is held rigidly in position in the housing by means of a supporting strip 55 secured to the inner 01' back side of frame 42 by screws 56, the ends of this strip being secured by screws 57 to bosses 58 projecting forwardly from the back wall of housing 41. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the supporting strip 55 is preferably provided with slots 59 in its ends which receive the screws 57 and permit slight adjustment of the switch structure when positioning the same accurately in the housing.

The lower end of rod 45 is bored and threaded for reception of the threaded shank of a clevis 60 in which is pivotally secured the upper end of a link 61, the lower end of which is pivotally secured in a bifurcated head 62 at the inner end of a neck 63 formed integrally with the bight portion of a U- shaped yoke 64 provided at the outer end of each arm with an eye 65 through which passes the pivot pin 6. This yoke is thus mounted for rocking movement about an axis coincident with the pivotal axis of the handle structure. Each eye 65 is provided with upper and lower shoulders 66 and 67, respectively, projecting beyond the eye radially thereof. and disposed for contact with a stud 68 projecting inwardly from the inner face of the inner finger 7 of each fork 8 at the pivoted end of each of the lever elements 5. The shoulders 66 and 67 and the studs 68 are so related that the studs contact with the shoulders as the handle structure approaches thelimit of its movement in either direction, thus rocking the yoke 64 about the pins 6 and shifting the block 46 of the switch structure into its corresponding operative position. This provides a lost motion connection between the operating rod and handle assembly in the auxiliary switch such that the switch is not actuated until the handle approaches its extreme position in either direction, and the switch controls the inter locking or auxiliary signaling circuit in such manner as to indicate accurately the condition of the disconnect switch.

To permit of the electromagnet and the terminal element of the auxiliary switch to be connected into their proper circuits, the housings E28 and 41 are provided with openings through which extend conduits 69 and 70 through which the wires or conductors are led in a known manner; As illustrated in Figs. 1- and-2, when the handle'and operating rod assembly is in its normal or switch closing position, the handle str cture and the rod are disposed in front of the housings 28 and 41 to protect the same from injury by blows from the front thereof. The handle and switch assembly also render the housings comparatively inaccessible when in switch closing position, and serve to prevent tampering therewith.

As will be understood, and as above indi cated, changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of the same, and we intend to include all such variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of our invention is disclosed.

What we claim is':

1. In switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, cooperating means carried by the handle structure and the rod and adapted for reception of a lock shackle for locking said rod and said structure together and in operative position, and cooperating means carried by the support and the handle structure and rod assembly and adapted for reception of a lock shackle for locking said rod in inoperative position.

2. In switch operating means, a pivotally mounted handle structure, an operating rod connected to said structure for operation thereby, and electro-responsive means for normally releasably securing the handle and the rod in operative switch closing position.

3. In switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivot-ally mounted on the support for movement toward and away from the same, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, a stop limiting movement of the rod toward the support when the handle is turned into switch closing position, and means intermediate the stop and the pivot of the rod for releasably securing the rod against movement away from the support.

4. In switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support for movement toward and away from the same, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, cooperating means carried by the handle structure and rod assembly for releasably securing the same against movement toward or away from the support when said assembly is moved into switch closing position, and means for securing the assembly in full switch opening position.

5. In switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the givot axis thereof, stop means limiting movement of the rod toward the support in switch closing direction, a hook member secured to the rod and extending toward the support when said rod is in switch closing position, and hook being disposed between the .top means and the pivot axis of the rod, and means cooperating with said hook for releasably securing the rod against movement away from the support.

(3. In switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotall mounted on said structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, stop means limiting movement of the rod toward the support in switch closing direction, a hook member secured to the rod, and an electromagnet on the support having a. movable plunger projecting beyond the core of the magnet, the hook member engaging the projecting portion of said plunger and holding the rod against movement away from the support when said rod is in full switch closing position, the plunger being moved out of hook engaging position when the electromagnet is energized.

T. In switch operatii'ig means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, stop means limiting movement of the rod toward the support in switch closing direction, latch member secured to the rod between the pivot axis thereof and the stop member, an electromagnet on the support having a slidable core having an end portion adapted and disposed for engagement with the latch member when the core is lowered, the plunger having a projection adjacent the upper end of said end portion, and means co-acting with said projection and the lower end portion of the core for holding the core against turning and limiting its downward movement.

8. In switch operating means, a support, housings mounted on said support, a handle structure pivotaily mounted on the support, an operating rod pivoted to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, the handle and rod assen'iblv overlying the housing when in operative switch closing position, signaling circuit controlling means in one of the housings and actuated by the handle structure, electro-responsive latch means in the other housing, and a latch member carried by said assen'ibly and cooperating with said means.

9. In a switch operating means, a support, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally mounted on said structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, stop means limiting the movement of the rod in the switch closing direction, a hook member secured to the rod, and an electromagnet on the support. said electromagnet having a n'iagneticallv controlled element projecting beyond the core of the magnet, the hook member engaging the projecting portion of said element and holding the rod against movement when said rod is in the liuil switch closed position.

10. In a switch operating means, a sup port, a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric to the pivot axis thereof, stop means limiting the movement of the rod in the switch closing directh n, a latch me iiher for locking the red a inst movement, and electromagnetic means carrier by the support and located between the support and the operating rod for controlling the latch member.

11. In a switch operating means, a. support. a handle structure pivotally mounted on the support, an operating rod pivotally connected to the handle structure eccentric t the pivot axis thereot, stop means limiting the movement of the rod in the switch closing direction, alatch for locking the rod against movei'uent, and an clectroi'nagnet on the support and located between the support and the operating rod, said electromagnet having means normallydisposed for engagement with the latch member when the winding of the electromagnet is deenergized and moved out ot position for freeing the same when the winding is energized.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 27th day of April, 1927.

ALFRED ALSAKER. ERIC NORDHEM. 

